South Korean President Yoon Seok-yeol’s Approval Rating Hits Record Low Amidst Growing Discontent

South Korean President Yoon Seok-yeol’s Approval Rating Hits Record Low

Reasons Behind President Yoon Seok-yeol’s Plummeting Approval Rating

A recent survey conducted by Real Meter revealed that President Yoon Seok-yeol’s approval rating has reached an all-time low of 27%. This is the lowest rating recorded since the establishment of the government, indicating a significant decline in public support for his administration. The survey also indicated that the disapproval of President Yoon’s performance in governing the country has reached a peak of 68.7%. These results reflect the current state of South Korean politics, influenced by various factors.

Background of the Declining Approval Rating

President Yoon’s positive evaluation of his governance declined by 2.9% compared to the previous week’s survey. This is even lower than the 29.3% recorded in the first week of August 2022. Real Meter analysis attributes this decline to the weakening support from the conservative base. Additionally, the controversy surrounding First Lady Kim Gun-hee and the opposition’s strong criticism of the “Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor Law” have also had an impact on the declining approval rating. The negative public sentiment caused by the rising cost of living during the Chuseok holiday period is also worth noting.

Regional Variations in Approval Rating for Governance Performance

When examining the approval rating for governance performance by region, it was found that it had decreased by 5.1 percentage points in the Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam regions. In the Incheon and Gyeonggi regions, it decreased by 4.5 percentage points. The Gwangju and Jeolla regions also experienced a decline of 4.0 percentage points, while the Daejeon, Sejong, and Chungcheong regions saw a decrease of 1.3 percentage points. These regional variations reflect the changing political landscape.

Age Group Variations in Approval Rating

Looking at the approval rating by age group, it decreased by 5.7 percentage points among those aged 70 and above, and by 4.7 percentage points among those in their 60s. The 30s age group also experienced a decline of 3.9 percentage points, while the 20s and 40s age groups saw decreases of 3.1 and 1.1 percentage points, respectively. These age group declines can be interpreted as reflecting the political interests and demands of each generation.

Occupational Variations in Approval Rating

When analyzed by occupation, the approval rating for governance performance of those engaged in agriculture and forestry declined by 9.8 percentage points. Sales/production/labor/service workers also showed a decrease of 6.8 percentage points. On the other hand, self-employed individuals experienced a decrease of 1.0 percentage point, while students saw an increase of 5.7 percentage points. This demonstrates that the economic situation and political demands vary among different occupational groups.

Survey Results for Party Support

According to a survey conducted on the 12th and 13th of the month, the ruling party, the Democratic Party of Korea, recorded a support rate of 39.6%, while the main opposition party, the People Power Party, received 33.0% support. The ruling party experienced a decrease of 0.5 percentage points compared to the previous week’s survey, while the opposition party saw a decrease of 1.6 percentage points. These results reflect the complex nature of South Korean politics.

Support for Other Parties

The support rate for the Justice Party increased by 2.9 percentage points to 10.7%, while the Reforms New Party saw a slight increase of 0.1 percentage point to 4.2%. On the other hand, the support rate for the Progressive Party decreased by 1.3 percentage points to 0.9%. The proportion of undecided voters was recorded at 9.8%. These changes indicate a shift in the political inclinations and demands of the electorate.

Survey Methodology and Response Rate

The presidential governance performance evaluation survey was conducted using both wireless (97%) and wired (3%) automated response methods, with a response rate of 2.8%. The party support survey was conducted using the same methods, with a response rate of 2.6%. These survey methods have become important tools in reflecting public opinion in South Korea.

Conclusion

The declining approval rating of President Yoon Seok-yeol and the record-high disapproval of his governance performance reflect the current state of South Korean politics. Various factors have contributed to these changes, which can be observed through regional, age group, and occupational variations in the approval rating. These shifts are expected to have a significant impact on the future political landscape in South Korea. To understand the direction of South Korean politics, it is essential to carefully examine these survey results.